Heidelberger and Solenis cooperate on barrier coatings
Heidelberger and Solenis will be working together in the field of paper packaging in the future. The aim is to develop a cost-effective process for integrating barrier coatings for fiber-based packaging directly into the existing roll-flexo printing process with the Boardmaster from Heidelberg.
Barrier coatings are used to prevent water or water vapor, hot and cold liquids, oils and greases from leaking out of or into paper packaging. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, a leading technology provider for the printing industry, and Solenis, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals, are announcing a collaboration in the field of paper packaging at the Fachpack 2024 trade fair. "The growing global demand for sustainably produced, cost-effective, recyclable and compostable packaging makes the flexible paper sector an attractive growth market for us," says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at Heidelberg. "Our new Bordmaster web flexo press, with its production speed of up to 600 meters per minute and availability of up to 90 percent, offers the ideal conditions for this. In cooperation with Solenis, we are aiming for the cost-effective production of packaging solutions for the food industry that are geared towards efficiency and sustainability." Visitors to Fachpack 2024, which takes place from September 24 - 26 in Nuremberg, can find out more about the cooperation with Solenis and all other Heidelberg activities in the packaging sector at the company's booth in Hall 4, booth number 4-246, and talk to Heidelberg experts.
The cost-effective application of barrier coatings plays a key role in the quality and safety of flexible paper packaging. The collaboration between Heidelberg and Solenis is therefore about optimally coordinating the individual components of the Boardmaster, the chemical composition of the barrier coatings from Solenis and the entire process technology and making them available to packaging producers. At the same time, the use of plastics is to be reduced through environmentally friendly alternatives with improved barrier functionality. The overall package should enable customers to expand their range of applications in the flexible paper sector with improved barrier functions. The result is cost-optimized applications that are predominantly reusable, recyclable, renewable and compostable. "Packaging companies are under increasing pressure to optimize processes while meeting ambitious sustainability goals," said William Kuecker, Senior Director, Strategic Marketing at Solenis. "Our partnership with Heidelberg pushes the boundaries of what is possible for flexible packaging manufacturers. With the combination of state-of-the-art printing technology and innovative, high-performance specialty coatings, packaging manufacturers can increase operational efficiency and product performance while meeting the growing demand for sustainable products and processes."